10
VIKTOR
Finding Tati casually having lunch in a cafe might have meant nothing if I didn’t know that Nikolai was keeping her locked down. It’s funny, I agree with Tati’s assessment that it’s a barbaric punishment for her crimes, but who am I to judge? She’s his daughter and his responsibility.
We walk together through her father’s door and she splits off from me, walking to the stairs without a word to me or even an announcement that she’s home. I watch her perfectly round peach-shaped ass as she walks up the stairs, then I turn to leave myself.
“Viktor. I thought I heard the door open.”
I turn to see Nikolai walking toward me from the living room. He glances up the staircase where Tati just was. Before I can tell him anything, he says, “So it was you who found her this time.” He nods sagely, his aged face looking a little longer than usual. “Good. That girl has been a thorn in my side since Yanov brought her back. I’m considering putting bars up on her windows at this point.”
I have nothing to say in commiseration, so I simply nod and just say, “Well, she’s back. I’ll be on my way.”
“Before you go,” he says as I start to turn around, “let’s chat. In my office.”
He turns and walks down the hallway past the staircase. I follow and glance upward just as I catch a flash of Tati’s pink curls as she pulls away from sight. Why does this suddenly feel like I’m walking into a trap?
We walk into his office, which is a large room with bookshelves built into the walls and a picture window overlooking the expanse of his property. He walks in and sits at his massive oak desk, waving at the leather chair opposite him. “Have a seat, please.”
I do. The vague scent of Nikolai’s cologne and the acrid smell of the cigarettes he enjoys stain everything in this room. Every time I sit in one of these chairs, I walk away smelling of the room.
“I’m sure that you’ve heard the troubles I’ve been having with my daughter by now,” he says as he reaches in his jacket pocket and pulls out his silver cigarette case. He pulls out a papirosi and sticks it in his mouth.
“She’s a good girl,” he says from behind his cigarette. It flaps up and down against his lips as he talks. He pauses and pats himself down, looking for his lighter. I pull one out of my pocket and stand up slightly, lighting the cigarette for him. He takes a drag as I sit down and nods. “Spasibo.”
I sit in silence as he smokes his cigarette for a second before continuing. “Despite her transgressions, she’s still the bright young girl she was when she left for Europe. I’m afraid living abroad has corrupted her.”
I don’t dare make any expression to that. I’ve never gotten a single indication from Nicki that their father thought very much of his daughter. After all, Nicki was the prize. Tati was simply the child who came after.
“She needs some time to get herself back on track,” he says. “Until she does, I need someone to keep an eye on her.”
He pauses, and my mind starts to list off all the lower-ranked Sixes who could do such a job. “I may know someone who could watch over her,” I say. “I’ll need a little time to consider?—”
“I don’t want an untestedvororShestyorkawhose balls haven’t dropped yet to watch my daughter.” He says it in a matter-of-fact tone. Cool, calm, direct, and without malice. As if he’s reading a headline from a news article. “I want you to do it.”
I blink. “Me, sir?”
“Is that a problem?”
Yes. It most certainly is. I’m not a babysitter. I’m an enforcer. ABykiby name. I’ve only been trained to kill my Pakhan’s enemies, not watch his children. I take a breath to keep myself from saying all that aloud. Instead, I say, “It’s unexpected, sir. It’s not exactly in my job description.”
He scoffs. “Your job description is to do whatever I tell you to do. Tatiana has developed a nasty habit of disappearing. That habit has the potential of leading her into places that are unsafe.” He narrows his eyes at me as tendrils of smoke from his cigarette encircle his head. “I need more than just a babysitter, Viktor. I need a protector. You are the most qualified for that job. Do you understand?”
“Of course,” I say. “I meant no disrespect.”
He smokes his cigarette and nods at me. “I’m glad we’re on the same page. In light of her need to wander so much, I’m going to offer her a chance to come and go as she pleases, as long as she is being accompanied by you. I’m trusting you to keep her out of trouble, Viktor.”
I nod shortly. “Yes, sir.”
“Good. You’re dismissed.”
I get up and leave. As I’m walking out of the house, the faint, soft scent of Tati’s rose scent greets me. I turn and look up the staircase to see her watching me as I go. She stands like a beacon of something I can reach out and touch, but miles out of my reach.
Keeping up with her is going to be a challenge.
“I need panties.”
I get the call a day later from Viktor. I’m to take her ‘shopping’, or so Nikolai said. Clearly, he wasn’t aware of the details.
